for the guilty…”
Quaeryt and Bieryn talked for another two quints before Quaeryt left.
On his ride back to Extela, Quaeryt reflected on what they had discussed, deciding that as Aextyl had suggested Bieryn would make a good justicer.
Quaeryt finally reined up in the post courtyard at a quint past second glass. Even before he reached his study, in the corridor outside, the duty squad leader hurried up with an envelope.
“Sir, this was delivered in midmorning. The young fellow said it was urgent.”
“Thank you.” Quaeryt paused. “No dispatches from Solis?”
“No, sir. No dispatches at all.” The squad leader turned and headed back to the duty desk.
Quaeryt entered his study, closed the door, and opened the envelope, wondering who could have sent it and what it contained.
The signature was that of Birgyt Aextyldyr.
Quaeryt realized, belatedly, that he’d never known Aextyl’s daughter’s given name, for all the times that he’d visited the house. He shook his head, then walked back out to the courtyard.
Given how far the mare had already carried him, he requested another mount and ended up on a gray gelding with two rankers he did not recognize as his escort.
When he reached Aextyl’s dwelling, he left the gelding with the rankers. He started toward the door, then paused. The sad-faced hound lay on the ground, unmoving. He stepped toward, and saw the eyes move, but nothing else. He eased toward the dog, then stroked its head. The hound gave only the faintest whine and did not move.
“I’m sorry, too, friend.” Quaeryt stroked the dog a last time, then rose and hurried to the door, where he knocked.
A man Quaeryt did not recognize opened the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re not receiving…”
“That’s the Governor, Caxtyl.”
“Oh … I’m sorry, sir.” Caxtyl stepped back.
Behind him, in the small entry hall, stood Aextyl’s daughter.
Quaeryt stepped inside and inclined his head to Birgyt. “Thank you for your message. I am so sorry…”
“It wasn’t your fault, Governor. He was so frail he could have died at any time. He went to sleep happy last night. He did appreciate what you did, because it redeemed him in his own mind.”
“He was so helpful and knowledgeable. I wouldn’t have asked him … had I known he was so weak, but he seemed strong enough when we began the hearing.” Quaeryt shook his head. “It was a short hearing, and as soon as it was over, I saw he was tired, and I walked with him to the wagon…”
“Governor, he was a justicer. You let him be one again. He was happy.” Birgyt looked to Caxtyl, who bore a passing resemblance to both Aextyl and Birgyt.
Caxtyl nodded.
“I would have come sooner, but I was in Mynawal. I did not receive your message until I returned.” He paused. “If there is anything I can do…”
“Governor, many people say that when it is too late. You did something he dearly appreciated before then. You should have heard him talk about the hearing last night.” Birgyt offered a sad smile. “Thank you.”
“I will not take more of your time, but I wanted to express my sympathy and concern.” Quaeryt inclined his head again.
“It is appreciated, Governor. Thank you.”
Quaeryt stepped back, then slipped back out the door. It closed slowly and quietly. He turned and walked to the gelding.
He just hoped Aextyl had died as peacefully as his daughter believed.
At that moment, Quaeryt couldn’t have said.
50
By late afternoon on Vendrei, Quaeryt had to admit that he was tired. He’d ridden through Extela on several occasions over the past two days with Ghaelt, the post engineer, looking at buildings and locations, before finally deciding on building a new structure on an empty lot a mille north of the post. Obtaining the land had cost another fifty golds from the treasury, but the plot was close to the existing sewers and aqueduct extensions, and Dhaeryn and Ghaelt had set to work on drawing up plans. Quaeryt had also spent glass after glass going over the tariff listings. When he had noted that some of the factors he’d come in contact with, such as Hyleor and Lysienk, weren’t even listed, he sent Baharyt out with the task of walking the main streets of Extela and jotting down every shop and factorage. That would mean, when the clerk finished, that Quaeryt and Jhalyt would have to go back and check the tariff listings against Baharyt’s list. It would also likely result in greater tariff collections.
Quaeryt hadn’t heard from Bieryn, either, and didn’t expect to until the following week, but he admitted to himself that he’d hoped he would. Pharyl had reported another ten recruits were undergoing training as potential civic patrollers, and the number of evening patrols had increased by two. Even so, it wasn’t likely that full evening patrols would be possible until late summer or early harvest.
No one had contacted him about Lysienk or even mentioned the factor’s name again, except Shenna. Quaeryt had told her to wait to hear from the factor for several days, and if she didn’t, to pursue other suppliers and factors. On Vendrei morning, Shenna reported to Vaelora and Quaeryt, just before he had left for the post, that Lysienk had died on a morning ride, and that his wife was selling off everything that she could.
Quaeryt leaned back in the chair inside the small post study, reflecting that it would be good to have a place where he could actually feel as though he was the governor, but, he reminded himself, he’d essentially had to rebuild not only parts of the city, but most of the provincial governing structure, and he was still a long ways from completing that task.
“Governor?”
“Yes?”
“Justicer Tharyn here to see you.”
Tharyn was one of the last people Quaeryt wanted to see, but he forced a cheerful tone into his voice. “Have him come in.”
When Tharyn stepped into the small study, Quaeryt motioned him to a chair. “Good afternoon, Tharyn. What can I do for you?”
“Governor, I noticed that you are still acting as justicer.”
“For the time being.”
“I also heard that High Justicer Aextyl was helping you, and he died right after.”
“High Justicer Aextyl had been in frail health for some time. That was why I did not consider him as a possible justicer. I did consult with him to make sure my decisions and recommendations were couched in the proper legal terms. I was very sad to learn of his death.”
“Other folks, maybe some in places like Solis, might not see it that way.”
“Oh?” Quaeryt kept his voice genial. “Justicer Aextyl was very helpful, and I was most careful not to tax his health. How would anyone think it otherwise?”
“There are always those who’d believe the worst, especially if those who didn’t receive the most favorable decisions … recommendations … wanted to cause trouble.”
“There are always those who want to cause trouble.” Quaeryt smiled, trying not to seem false, but fearing that he did. “I do appreciate your concerns. You’re being most thoughtful.”
“Thank you, Governor. I always try to be thoughtful … and grateful to those who give me reason to be
